The Planning Process for LPA involves  several steps.

First, local public agencies work with their regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)or Regional Planning Commission (RPC) to prioritize projects. For the Kansas City district, there are two organizations for counties and cities to work with. Check the Engineering Policy Guide(EPG) Section 136.3 for details on this section.

• Mid American Regional Council (MARC): Serves as the MPO for the urban area of the district, serving Platte, Clay, Jackson and Cass Counties. It also serves as the RPC for Ray County. For those public agencies in the MPO, the agency must submit a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) application to be approved by the MPO.

• Pioneer Trails: Serves as the RPC for Lafayette, Saline, Johnson and Pettis counties. Working with the transportation committee of the RPC and MoDOT public agencies prepare a list of projects to determine if there is federal funding available. If so, then the agency and MoDOT work through the programming process.

Programming Process:

Local agencies prepare a Project Data Form or Tip Application and submits to MoDOT.

MoDOT completes a site visit and reviews the Project data request.  MoDOT determines if the project is eligible for federal aid. If so, a Federal Number is assigned.

The local agency and MoDOT will complete the Agreement Process with the LPA. Check the EPG Section 136.5 for details on this section.